Sobbing and screaming was heard in the High Court at Auckland when the jury found Alan Christopher Paul Gundry, 30, not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of Gene Patrick Atkins, 28.
The jury had accepted Gundry's defence that he killed Atkins in self-defence.
Earlier, the jury heard that Gundry, terrified for his young family, had only seconds to decide whether to shoot his friend with a pig-hunting rifle.
Atkins had gone berserk at Gundry's home after a fight with his girlfriend, Sarah Jane Dean, the court heard.
Both men had been friends for years and had spent January 12 this year eating and drinking at Gundry's home..."
The merits of the case aside- I see a clear precident being set here and elsewhere for the use of firearms being a legitimate means of defense.
It's time this fact in law- that one is entitled to defend oneself and others- was further clarified in law, so that these people are not persecuted and impoverished by the crown law office.
I believe that the clarification need to be in the area of not using totally disproportionate force- such as shooting a pamplet deliverer.
The nonsense in the Arms Code about specifically NOT owning firearms for the purposes of self-defense needs to be removed.
While I'm on the subject, let's legalise other means of self-defense such as OC, tasers and stunners. Lots of folk not proficent with or willing to use firearms would be comfortable with one of these devices in their home, car or pocket.
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